Prisoners may be allowed to make video calls to their relatives

A bill to amend the Criminal Code regarding communication between convicts and their loved ones has been submitted for public discussion.

It is noted that in connection with the improvement, it is proposed to establish online meetings of citizens serving sentences in penitentiary institutions with their relatives via video link.

It is suggested to establish the following:

- providing convicts with the right to remote video communication, taking into account the nature of penitentiary institutions;
- in order to prevent re-commission of crimes in the future, as well as to encourage exemplary behavior, excluding the isolation of persons serving sentences in penitentiary institutions from family and society;
- bringing the rights of convicts serving sentences in penitentiary institutions into compliance with international standards.

It is noted that remote video meetings or telephone conversations of convicts serving sentences in general, strict, special regime colonies, educational colonies, prisons and specialized hospitals for convicts will be conducted under the control of the institution’s administration, and their payment will be made from the convict’s personal account.

The number of remote video calls or telephone conversations will be determined by the type of order in the penitentiary institution, as well as the conditions of detention of the convicted person.

At the request of the convicted person, upon arrival at the penitentiary institution, as well as in exceptional cases, he may additionally be allowed a video call or telephone conversation with his family.

Convicts held in disciplinary units may be allowed to have a video meeting or telephone conversation only in exceptional cases.

At the same time, it is prohibited for prisoners held in places of deprivation of liberty to communicate with each other through a video call or telephone conversation.